Michael Jackson burial postponed

A young Michael Jackson performs live on stage with the Jackson 5. 01/02/1975 Picture: Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment

The late Prince of Pop will not be interred on his birthday

Michael Jackson will now be buried on September 3 in Los Angeles, his family have announced, rather than on August 31.

Jackson’s father Joe had previously named the August date insisting his son would be laid to rest at Forest-Lawn memorial park in Glendale on what would have been his 51st birthday. It is unclear why the date has changed.

The cause of the Thriller star’s death in June has not yet been established. There were stories from international news agencies earlier this week claiming that Jackson‘s doctor, Conrad Murray, who allegedly administered powerful medication in the hours leading up to the death, would be arrested within two weeks and charged with manslaughter. Murray has constantly denied any culpability.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a touring exhibition featuring a film based around the singer’s final concert rehearsals will start at London’s O2 arena at the end of October.

It is not yet known what will be included in the exhibition, which could visit three cities and stay up to six months in each.